FLOORS
WOOD FLOORING
Wood flooring boasts benefits well beyond its timeless good looks. Here are just a few:
Durability. A solid wood floor can last for a century or more, thanks to a durable finish that can be easily repaired, sanded and refinished whenever it starts to wear thin.
Warmth. Wood also offers a warm feel underfoot. Mother Nature designed this resource to be an excellent insulator. With thousands of air chambers per cubic inch, wood floors are cozier than other flooring options.
Maintenance. Hardwood floors are a breeze to clean — and simply incorporating them into your home increases its value.
Permanence. A vintage version of solid wood, antique or “reclaimed” floors bring instant history to a new home. Many “found” woods have been salvaged from old barns or industrial buildings. Found flooring is also quite durable and environmentally friendly, since it makes use of lumber that was discarded.
POPULAR SPECIES FOR WOOD FLOORS
PINE. This species is perfect for traditional timber homes but diverse enough for rustic or formal settings.
pros: Inexpensive; widely available
cons: Softer and easier to dent than other wood species
BAMBOO. This tall Chinese grass is environmentally friendly; features distinctive grain that shows the “nodes” of the stalks.
pros: A distinctive modern look; fast-growing so it replenishes quickly
cons: Doesn’t sand well; very rigid, so subfloor must be perfectly flat
DOUGLAS FIR. Popular for its straight grain, the color varies between brown and white on each board.
pros: Like pine, the look is perfect for wood homes, but typically has straighter grain
cons: Can bleach out if exposed to sunlight
HICKORY/PECAN. This durable hardwood has a wavy, irregular grain and drastic color variations, even within one plank.
pros: Characteristics are very complementary in rustic homes
cons: Hardness makes it difficult to machine and sand; nails can split the tongue-and-groove planks
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